Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TAWANDA Maswanhise opened his Scottish Premiership account for the season inside two minutes on Sunday and immediately set his sights on bettering last term’s 17-goal haul.
The Zimbabwe international struck early in Motherwell’s dramatic 3-3 draw away to St Mirren, racing onto an Alex Lowry pass, rounding goalkeeper Jacob Chapman and rolling the ball into an empty net.
Maswanhise then had the chance to double his tally from the penalty spot, but Chapman denied him.
Regan Charles-Cook later made it 2-0 to Motherwell before St Mirren turned the match on its head with three goals in nine minutes before half-time.
Substitute Jardell Kanga rescued a point for Motherwell with a stoppage-time equaliser on his debut.
“That’s football. You score one, and then you have the chance to make it two, but the keeper made a good save,” said Maswanhise.
“Sometimes these things happen. The important thing is I didn’t let it affect the rest of my game. I kept going, kept working for the team.”
The 23-year-old finished as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer last season with 17 goals and is determined to improve on that return.
“It was tough to take. We were in complete control at 2-0, and then suddenly we are behind at half-time.
“Football can change very quickly. We had to look at ourselves and say, ‘this is not good enough’, but also remind ourselves that we had 45 minutes to fix it.”
Maswanhise praised Motherwell’s response after Kanga’s late strike rescued them from defeat.
“The boys showed great mentality. To come from that situation, away from home, and still find a way to get something from the game shows what this group is about.
“We never stopped believing. Jardell came on and took his chance brilliantly. That is what squads are for.”
Maswanhise said last season’s success had given him confidence, but insisted he had already moved on and set him-self fresh targets.
“Last season gave me a lot of confidence, but I have put that behind me now. I have set new targets for myself.
“I want to score more goals, create more chances and help the team finish higher in the table.”
The Warriors forward knows expectations have grown following his breakthrough campaign, but says his focus re-mains on improving. “People will talk about last season, but I don’t listen too much to that. I know what I am capable of and I know I can still improve.
“There are areas of my game I want to work on. The manager has been pushing me in training.”
Maswanhise now wants Sunday’s goal to be the start of another productive season.
“Last season was a good one for me, but I don’t want to look back and be satisfied with what I achieved.
“I want to work harder, score more goals, and help Motherwell compete at the top end of the league.”
